JP7159911B2 - Image processing device and image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to technology for extending functions.

2. Description of the Related Art Some copiers, multi-function machines, etc. are provided with various extended functions for further enhancing their functions. For example, extended functions such as optional fonts and security enhancement kits are implemented as software in the device, but are disabled when the device is shipped. That is, in the initial state of the device, the extended functions are disabled, and the extended functions cannot be used as they are. In order to use the extended function, the user needs to purchase a license key or the like and perform activation (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below). One method for users to purchase a license key is to access the management server that manages the license key and purchase the license key. The user accesses the management server, purchases a license key, and manually inputs the purchased license key from the operation unit of the device to expand the functionality of the device.

JP-A-2004-213469 JP 2011-166654 A

For example, if the license key for activating the extended function is numeric only, it can be easily deciphered and abused. However, complicating the license key to prevent abuse reduces convenience for users who manually enter the license key. Here, as a method of simplifying the user's manual work, a printed matter on which a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) is printed is read by a scanner equipped with a multifunction machine, etc., and the two-dimensional code is used as a license key. Although it is possible to use it (see, for example, the above-mentioned Patent Document 2), there is a risk of abuse because the two-dimensional code can also be decoded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to prevent unauthorized use of extended functions while simplifying user operations when entering license information.

An image processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a storage unit that stores a two-dimensional code, which is an image of license information for enabling an extended function, for each extended function; an image reading unit that reads an image; A detection unit that detects an incomplete two-dimensional code from which the license information cannot be obtained from the image obtained by reading by the image reading unit, and stores a complementary image for complementing the incomplete two-dimensional code. a complementary image storage unit that combines the incomplete two-dimensional code detected by the detecting unit with the complementary image stored in the complementary image storage unit; analysis for comparing the synthesized image obtained by the above method with the two-dimensional code stored in the storage unit, and validating the extended function corresponding to the two-dimensional code when it is determined that the synthesized image matches the two-dimensional code. and

According to the present invention, the two-dimensional code is used to enable the extended function to simplify the user's work, and the two-dimensional code is analyzed inside the device so that it does not appear outside. Since only an incomplete two-dimensional code that cannot obtain meaningful license information from itself can be seen by three parties, it becomes difficult to abuse the two-dimensional code that serves as a license key. Therefore, it is possible to prevent unauthorized use of the extended function while simplifying the user's work when entering the license information.

1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an extended function enabling system including an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. (A) is a diagram showing an example of a QR code in which license information is imaged; (B) is a diagram showing an example of an incomplete QR code; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an image deleted from a QR code when generating a complete QR code; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a printed matter on which an incomplete QR code is formed; 1 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the main internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of processing by an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 4 is a flow chart showing an example of processing for determining a QR code and setting advanced functions by an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

An image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an image forming apparatus will be described as an example of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an extended function enabling system including an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. The extended function enabling system 11 includes an image forming apparatus 1, a server 2, and a terminal device 3 such as a personal computer. The image forming apparatus 1 is, for example, a multifunction device that has a scanner function and a print function, and whose functions can be expanded.

The server 2 is a management server that manages a two-dimensional code that is an image of license information for enabling extended functions. The two-dimensional code is stored in a storage unit such as an HDD of the server 2 . A QR code will be described below as an example of the two-dimensional code. The server 2 is operated by a sales company that sells the image forming apparatus 1, for example.

Also, the QR code managed by the server 2 is a license generated by combining, for example, a predetermined device ID (eg, serial number) unique to the image forming device 1 and an extended function number that identifies each extended function. It is an image of information. The license key indicated by the QR code managed by the server 2 is purchased by the user via the terminal device 3 . The extended function number is an example of extended function identification information in the scope of claims.

When the user wants to enable any of the extended functions in the image forming apparatus 1 he or she uses, the user operates the terminal device 3 to access the server 2 and request purchase of the license key for the extended function to be enabled. , the license key is purchased by following a predetermined procedure. At the time of purchase, the user inputs the device ID unique to the image forming device 1 to the terminal device 3, and inputs the input information (including the device ID) together with the request (including information indicating the extended function to be enabled). It is transmitted from the terminal device 3 to the server 2 .

When the server 2 receives the input information and the request, the server 2 combines the device ID transmitted from the terminal device 3 and the extension function number indicating the extension function that the user desires to activate to generate license information. A QR code is generated by imaging the obtained license information. FIG. 2A is a diagram showing an example of a QR code in which license information is imaged.

The QR code 31 has square positioning symbols 32 arranged at three corners. The positioning symbol 32 includes a first square 32A having a black portion, a second square 32B having a white portion formed within the first square 32A, and a third square 32C having a black portion formed within the second square 32B. and have Incidentally, the QR code 31 is an image of a sequence of numbers, for example, "12345678" indicating the device ID and "1234" indicating the extended function number, as license information. Note that the license information is not limited to a numerical string, and may be a character string or the like.

Furthermore, the server 2 generates an incomplete QR code from the generated QR code 31 based on a predetermined rule, which by itself cannot obtain meaningful license information. FIG. 2B is a diagram showing an example of an incomplete QR code.

The incomplete QR code 33 is a part of the QR code 31 cut off. The incomplete QR code 33 has a third square 32C, but the first square 32A and the portion of the image that exists between adjacent first squares 32A have been deleted from the QR code 31 .

FIG. 2C is a diagram showing a deleted image deleted from the QR code 31 when an incomplete QR code 33 is generated from the QR code 31. FIG. Deleted image 34 includes first squares 32A and image portions that existed between adjacent first squares 32A. That is, the QR code 31 is obtained by synthesizing the incomplete QR code 33 and the deleted image 34 .

The server 2 sends a guidance image including the generated incomplete QR code 33 and a message describing the operation procedure for enabling the extended function, for example, to the terminal device using e-mail. Send to 3.

When the terminal device 3 receives the guidance image transmitted from the server 2, the user operates the terminal device 3 to transmit the received guidance image using, for example, a desired image forming device (which may be the image forming device 1). print out. The image forming apparatus prints the printed matter on which the incomplete QR code 33 is formed according to the above instructions. As a result, the user can obtain the printed matter on which the incomplete QR code 33 is formed. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of printed matter P1 on which an incomplete QR code is formed. The printed matter P1 includes an incomplete QR code 33 and a message M1 describing an operation procedure for enabling the extended function. The printed matter P<b>1 is used for adding an extended function of the image forming apparatus 1 .

Alternatively, if the terminal device 3 is a mobile terminal device having a display unit having an LCD or the like, the user operates the terminal device 3 to display the guide image on the display unit. The image displayed on the display unit is used for adding the extended function of the image forming apparatus 1 .

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10, a document feeding section 6, an image reading section 5, an image forming section 12, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 111, a fixing section 13, a paper feeding section 14, an operation section 47, and a network interface. A portion 91 is provided.

A case where the image forming apparatus 1 performs a document reading operation will be described. An image reading unit 5 optically reads an image of a document conveyed by the document feeding unit 6 or a document placed on a contact glass (not shown), and generates image data. Image data generated by the image reading unit 5 is stored in an image memory (not shown) or the like.

A case where the image forming operation is performed in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. The image forming unit 12 feeds from the paper feeding unit 14 based on image data generated by the document reading operation, image data received from a computer as an external device 20 (for example, terminal device 3) connected to the network, and the like. A toner image is formed on recording paper as a recording medium.

HDD 111 is a large-capacity storage device and includes complementary image storage unit 112 and extended function number storage unit 113 . The complementary image storage unit 112 stores complementary images for complementing incomplete QR codes. That is, the complementary image storage unit 112 stores the deletion image 34 as shown in FIG. 2C as a complementary image.

The extended function number storage unit 113 associates and stores the extended function and the corresponding extended function number. An extension number is used to identify each extension. For example, the extended function number storage unit 113 stores the extended function number "1234" in association with the extended function "option format".

The fixing unit 13 heats and presses the recording paper on which the toner image is formed by the image forming unit 12 to fix the toner image on the recording paper. Output to tray. The paper feed unit 14 includes a paper feed cassette.

The operation unit 47 receives instructions such as image forming operation execution instructions from the operator regarding various operations and processes that can be performed by the image forming apparatus 1 . The operation unit 47 includes a display unit 473 that displays operation guidance and the like for the operator.

The display unit 473 includes, for example, an LCD and has a touch panel function. When the operator touches a button or key displayed on the screen of display unit 473 , an operation instruction for image forming apparatus 1 is accepted by instruction accepting unit 101 through the touch panel function.

The network interface unit 91 transmits and receives various data to and from an external device 20 (for example, the terminal device 3) within a local area or on the Internet.

The control unit 10 includes a processor, RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and dedicated hardware circuits. The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit 10 includes a control section 100 , an instruction reception section 101 , a QR code generation section 102 , a complementary image generation section 103 , a detection section 104 , a synthesis section 105 and an analysis section 106 .

The control unit 10 operates the control unit 100, the instruction receiving unit 101, the QR code generating unit 102, the complementary image generating unit 103, the detecting unit 104, and the synthesizing unit 105 by the operation of the processor according to the control program stored in the HDD 111. , and the analysis unit 106 . However, the control unit 100 and the like can also be configured by hardware circuits independently of the operation according to the control program by the control unit 10 . Hereinafter, the same applies to each embodiment unless otherwise specified.

The control unit 100 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1 . The control unit 100 is connected to the document feeding unit 6, the image reading unit 5, the image forming unit 12, the HDD 111, the fixing unit 13, the paper feeding unit 14, the operation unit 47, and the network interface unit 91, and controls the driving of these units. etc.

The instruction receiving portion 101 receives an operation input from the user via the operation portion 47 . The instruction accepting portion 101 accepts the above instructions input to the operating portion 47 .

The QR code generating unit 102 generates the image forming apparatus 1 when the instruction accepting unit 101 accepts an instruction to set the extended function installation mode and select an extended function to be enabled based on the user's operation of the operation unit. License information is generated by combining a unique predetermined device ID and an extended function number stored in the extended function number storage unit 113 (an extended function number that identifies the extended function selected by the user), Generate a QR code that is an image of the license information. The generated QR code is stored in HDD 111 . The QR code for each extended function may be stored in HDD 111 when image forming apparatus 1 is manufactured without being generated by QR code generator 102 . The QR code generator 102 is an example of a two-dimensional code generator in the claims.

In the extended function installation mode, for example, the user performs a predetermined operation via the operation unit 47 to input the setting instruction, and when the instruction reception unit 101 receives the instruction, the control unit 100 set.

Complementary image generation unit 103 generates, from the QR code, a complementary image that complements the incomplete QR code (combined with the incomplete QR code), and generates the generated complementary image as an extension function indicated by the QR code. , and stored in the complementary image storage unit 112 . When the QR code is the QR code 31 shown in FIG. 2A, the incomplete QR code is the incomplete QR code 33 shown in FIG. C) is the deleted image 34 shown in FIG.

Therefore, the complementary image generating unit 103 generates the complementary image from the QR code 31 generated by the QR code generating unit 102 based on the rule corresponding to the rule used when the server 2 generates the incomplete QR code 33. , the deletion image 34 is generated as follows.

The detection unit 104 detects an incomplete QR code from the document image read by the image reading unit 5 while the extended function installation mode is set. For example, when the image reading unit 5 reads the image of the printed matter P1 (FIG. 3) placed on the contact glass, the detection unit 104 detects the incomplete QR code 33 from the original image.

The incomplete QR code 33 has third squares 32C at three corners. Therefore, the detection unit 104 detects the incomplete QR code 33 by searching for the third square 32C at the three corners.

Also, in order to shorten the time required for detection processing by the detection unit 104, it is preferable to fix the position of the incomplete QR code 33 formed on the printed matter P1. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, if the incomplete QR code 33 is formed in the lower left corner area of the printed matter P1, the area to be detected by the detection unit 104 is not the entire document image but the document image. Only the lower left corner area and the upper right corner area can be detected, and the detection time can be shortened. The reason why the upper right corner area is also set as the detection target area is that there is a possibility that the printed matter P1 may be put on the contact glass upside down.

Here, an example of an incomplete QR code having no first square 32A and having third squares 32C at three corners is described. It may be of the type having the first square 32A at the bottom. Of course, the format is not limited to these, and any format may be used as long as an incomplete QR code can be detected. is preferable in terms of detection efficiency.

Synthesis unit 105 synthesizes the incomplete QR code detected by detection unit 104 and the complementary image stored in complementary image storage unit 112 to generate a QR code (complete QR code). For example, the QR code 31 is generated by synthesizing the incomplete QR code 33 and the deletion image 34 as the complementary image.

The analysis unit 106 compares the QR code 31, which is the synthesized image synthesized by the synthesizing unit 105, with the two-dimensional code stored in the HDD 111, and determines that the QR code 31 matches the two-dimensional code. In this case, enable the extended function indicated by the above two-dimensional code.

Next, an example of processing by the image forming apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that this process is performed when the instruction receiving unit 101 receives the user's selection of an extended function to be enabled while the extended function installation mode is set.

First, the QR code generating unit 102 reads out the extended function number corresponding to the extended function accepted by the instruction accepting unit 101 from the extended function number storage unit 113 (S1), and obtains a predetermined device ID unique to the image forming apparatus 1. and the read extension function number are combined to generate license information (S2), and a QR code 31 is generated by imaging the generated license information (S3). If the QR code for each extended function is stored in HDD 111, control unit 100 reads the QR code corresponding to the extended function received by instruction receiving unit 101 from HDD 111 in S2 and S3. do it instead.

Subsequently, the complement image generation unit 103 generates a complement image (delete image 34) from the QR code 31 generated by the QR code generation unit 102 based on the predetermined rule (S4). The complementary image generation unit 103 stores the generated complementary image in the complementary image storage unit 112 (S5). After this, the process ends.

Next, an example of the process of QR code determination and extended function setting by the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that this processing is performed when the instruction receiving unit 101 receives an instruction to start scanning while the extended function installation mode is set.

When the instruction receiving unit 101 receives an instruction to start scanning based on the user's operation of the operation unit 47, the control unit 100 causes the image reading unit 5 to read the image of the document placed on the contact glass (S11). . Therefore, if the user places the printed matter P1 on the contact glass before starting scanning, the image reading section 5 reads the image formed on the printed matter P1 (that is, the image having the incomplete QR code 33). If the terminal device 3 (in the case of the mobile terminal device) is placed on the contact glass so that the image reading section 5 can read the display section of the terminal device 3, the image reading section 5 reads the image displayed on the display unit.

Subsequently, the detection unit 104 detects the incomplete QR code 33 from the document image read by the image reading unit 5 (S12). When the control unit 100 determines that the detection unit 104 has successfully detected the incomplete QR code 33 (YES in S13), the synthesizing unit 105 creates a complementary image (deleted image) stored in the complementary image storage unit 112. 34) is read out (S14). That is, the synthesizing unit 105 reads the complementary image generated in S4 (FIG. 5) from the complementary image storage unit 112. FIG. That is, the user completes the series of processes shown in FIG. 5, and subsequently executes the series of processes shown in FIG.

However, based on the operation of the operation unit 47 by the user, the instruction receiving unit 101 starts scanning, receives an instruction to designate an extended function to be extended, and the synthesizing unit 105 complements the complementary image corresponding to the designated extended function. It may be read out from the image storage unit 112 . In this case, the user does not necessarily have to complete the series of processes shown in FIG. 5 and subsequently execute the series of processes shown in FIG. It may be before the series of processing shown in FIG.

Then, the synthesizing unit 105 synthesizes the incomplete QR code 33 detected by the detecting unit 104 and the complementary image read from the complementary image storage unit 112 to generate a QR code (S15).

Analysis unit 106 compares QR code 31 generated by synthesis unit 105 with the QR code stored in HDD 111 to determine whether the analyzed QR code is correct (S17). .

When the QR code 31 generated by the synthesizing unit 105 matches the QR code stored in the HDD 111, the analyzing unit 106 determines that the analyzed QR code is a correct code. If YES), settings are made to enable the extended function associated with the QR code (S18). After this, the process ends. The analysis unit 106 uses pattern matching technology, for example, to determine whether the QR code 31 generated by the synthesis unit 105 matches the QR code stored in the HDD 111 .

On the other hand, when analysis unit 106 determines that the analyzed QR code is not a correct code (NO in S17), control unit 100 displays a message indicating that the QR code is not a correct code on display unit 473. (S19). After this, the process ends.

In S13, when the control unit 100 determines that the detection unit 104 has failed to detect the incomplete QR code 33 (NO in S13), the display unit displays a message indicating that the detection of the QR code 33 has failed. 473 (S20). After this, the process ends.

In the above embodiment, by using a printed matter with an incomplete QR code to activate the extended function, the user does not need to manually enter the license key, thereby simplifying the user's work. Further, according to the above embodiment, the complete QR code (complete QR code) is analyzed inside the image forming apparatus 1, does not appear outside, and cannot be seen by the user or a third party. Appearing externally and visible to users and third parties is an imperfect QR code that by itself cannot yield meaningful license information. That is, the distributed QR code is imperfect and cannot be analyzed by itself. Therefore, it is impossible for a user or a third party to create, for example, a QR code capable of activating an extended function for a plurality of devices by themselves just by purchasing a license key. Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to prevent illegal use of extended functions while simplifying the user's work when entering license information.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the instruction receiving unit 101 receives the user's selection of an extended function to be enabled while the extended function installation mode is set, the complementary image generating unit 103 generates a complementary image. , the generated complementary image is stored in the complementary image storage unit 112, but as another embodiment, each complementary image associated with each extended function is stored in the complementary image storage unit 112 in advance. You may make it store.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. Further, in the above-described embodiment, a multifunction machine is used as an embodiment of the image processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, but this is only an example, and other image processing having a scanner function can be performed. It may be an apparatus or an image forming apparatus.

Also, in the above embodiment, the configuration and processing shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 are merely an embodiment of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention to the configuration and processing.

1 Image forming apparatus 5 Image reading unit 12 Image forming unit 100 Control unit 102 QR code generation unit 103 Complementary image generation unit 104 Detection unit 105 Synthesis unit 106 Analysis unit 112 Complementary image storage unit

Claims (6)

a storage unit that stores, for each extended function, a two-dimensional code that is an image of license information for enabling the extended function;
an image reading unit for reading an image;
a detection unit that detects an incomplete two-dimensional code from which the license information cannot be obtained from the image read by the image reading unit;
a complementary image storage unit that stores a complementary image for complementing the incomplete two-dimensional code;
a synthesizing unit that synthesizes the incomplete two-dimensional code detected by the detecting unit and the complementary image stored in the complementary image storage unit;
Comparing the synthesized image synthesized by the synthesizing unit and the two-dimensional code stored in the storage unit, and expanding corresponding to the two-dimensional code when it is determined that the synthesized image matches the two-dimensional code an analysis unit that enables a function; and an image processing device. further comprising a two-dimensional code generation unit that generates the two-dimensional code by combining a predetermined device ID unique to the image processing device and extension function identification information that identifies each extension function,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the two-dimensional code generated by the two-dimensional code generating section is stored in the storage section. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a complementary image generation unit that generates the complementary image from the two-dimensional code and stores the generated complementary image in the complementary image storage unit. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the two-dimensional code is a QR code (registered trademark). The quadrangular positioning symbols arranged at the three corners of the QR code are a first square made up of a black portion, a second square made up of a white portion formed within the first square, and formed within the second square. a third square consisting of a filled black area;
5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the incomplete two-dimensional code has at least one of the first square and the third square at three corners. an image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming section that forms a document image obtained by reading by the image reading section on a recording medium.

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